May 25, 2011, 9:40 am
Hi everyone — Jhen here with a quick non-transit update from my maternity leave :)
Since some of you asked to be kept in the loop, I’m happy to announce my lovely daughter Linna was born about a week ago. She is healthy and happy and just delightful, and I suspect we’ll be having a lot of fun together this year.
Again, if you’re interested, you can feel free to visit Pabillano.com for assorted personal posts while I’m on leave. I hope you’re all having fun with Robert here on the Buzzer blog while I’m away!
April 29, 2011, 9:00 am
Me, riding into the shiny future. (Yes, this is an older photo :)
Well, as you may have heard, there’s a major event happening today — it’s my last day on the blog :)
Yes, as announced in February, I am on maternity leave as of the end of day on Friday, April 29, 2011, returning in May 2012. In my absence, the delightful Robert Willis will be handling the print and online Buzzer properties, and I’m certain he’ll take care of everything very well.
But before I go, I just wanted to offer my thanks and appreciation to all of you who have been my companions on the blog since its launch in October 2008. It’s been a sincere privilege to bring you stories about TransLink, and it’s been fantastic that so many of you have chosen to make the Buzzer blog a key destination in your online travels.
I’ll be mostly off the blog for the next year, but I’ll keep you posted as any key events come along for me :) And if you really need to reach me, you can find my personal site over at pabillano.com.
Take care, keep reading the Buzzer, and have a great year!
April 27, 2011, 10:22 am
So, just a reminder: the Sapperton/United Boulevard Extension workshops are still ongoing, and the last workshop in the second phase will be held on Saturday, April 30, 2011 from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Sapperton Pensioners Hall in New Westminster!
Phase two of the workshop series is about refining the concepts presented in phase one: you can find out much more about the workshops and the project on the main Sapperton/United Boulevard page, and in the past Buzzer posts on this topic.
Also, the public consultation team has passed along wrapup notes from the last workshop. Here they are!
Read more »
April 27, 2011, 8:00 am
A southbound 8 Davie at Howe and Pender in 1969. Click for a much larger version. Photo by Angus McIntyre!
The lovely Angus McIntyre is scanning his archives of historical Vancouver transit photos, and sent along two classic bus photos that he thought we might enjoy. Above is one, and below is the other!
Granville southbound, nearside Dunsmuir. Note the split stop arrangement for the 7 and 10, and the Granville behind. Click for a much larger version. Photo by Angus McIntyre!
Angus added the following about this second photo:
Notice lack of right side mirror, no licence plate and the change dish is visible through the front window. A gentleman at the rear doors is holding the gate for alighting passengers.
Oh also — it turns out that Angus also took one of the photos of the 14 Hastings recently posted on the blog, and he sent along a little more info about it!
Read more »
April 25, 2011, 8:00 am
What it may look like as a Buzzer reader diligently fills in our survey.
One last time: please take the 2011 Buzzer blog reader survey, if you haven’t already!
Yes, I’m going to beat this topic to death, but it’s for a good cause: we here at the Buzzer (all two of us) are dying to know more about you and what you think of the blog so far—plus where you think we could improve for the future.
It’s only 12 questions long and we’d like as many of you to fill it out as possible, so we really get a sense of who our readership is and what you’re thinking!
Even if you’re just a casual reader, please do take a few minutes and fill out the survey, and tell all your friends to as well :) The survey will close on Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at noon (that’s tomorrow!)
Important note: I’m running this survey using SurveyMonkey, which is a US-based survey tool. So please take note that by clicking on the following survey link, you give your consent that any information you provide may be stored on servers outside of Canada. (PS: none of the questions ask for emails or personally identifying info, just general age/gender stuff and readership notes.)
April 20, 2011, 1:00 pm
Just a note to remind you that phase two of our UBC Line rapid transit study closes on Friday, April 22, 2011 —so fill out our online questionnaire if you haven’t already!
As always, check out translink.ca/ubcline for all the info on UBC Line rapid transit study, including details of the options suggested for the corridor. And feel free to have a look at all the Buzzer blog’s past UBC Line posts, which includes a recording of our webinar held on Monday, April 4, 2011.
April 20, 2011, 8:00 am
What it may look like as a Buzzer reader diligently fills in our survey.
Just a reminder to take the 2011 Buzzer blog reader survey!
Again, for the first time ever, I’ve put a reader survey together. We here at the Buzzer (all two of us) are dying to know more about you, and what you guys think of the blog so far—plus where you think we could improve for the future.
It’s only 12 questions long and we’d like as many of you to fill it out as possible, so we really get a sense of who our readership is and what you’re thinking!
Even if you’re just a casual reader, please do take a few minutes and fill out the survey, and tell all your friends to as well :) The survey will close on Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at noon.
Important note: I’m running this survey using SurveyMonkey, which is a US-based survey tool. So please take note that by clicking on the following survey link, you give your consent that any information you provide may be stored on servers outside of Canada. (PS: none of the questions ask for emails or personally identifying info, just general age/gender stuff and readership notes.)
April 18, 2011, 1:00 pm
Heads up: here’s our holiday transit service for the upcoming 2011 Easter weekend!
On Good Friday, April 22, 2011, transit runs on Sunday/Holiday service, and you only need a single-zone fare to travel in all zones all day.
But on Easter Monday, April 25, 2011, we’re back to regular service and fares. Tell your friends!
Edit: Donald also shared a note in the comments pointing out that West Coast Express service will run on a reduced schedule this Monday. Trains #2 and #4 on the West Coast Express is cancelled both ways, and the 9:27am westbound and 12:55pm, 7:30pm, and 8:00pm eastbound TrainBuses are cancelled.
April 15, 2011, 4:25 pm
What a Buzzer blog reader might look like while diligently filling in our reader survey.
Okay, this is both a fun AND serious poll for this Friday! For the first time ever, I’ve put a reader survey together. We here at the Buzzer (all two of us) are dying to know more about our readers, and what you guys think of the blog so far—plus where you think we could improve for the future.
It’s only 12 questions long and we’d like as many of you to fill it out as possible, so we really get a sense of who our readership is and what you’re thinking! Even if you’re just a casual reader, please do take a few minutes and fill out the survey, and tell all your friends to as well :) Also, the survey will close on Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at noon.
Important note: I’m running this survey using SurveyMonkey, which is a US-based survey tool. So please take note that by clicking on the following survey link, you give your consent that any information you provide may be stored on servers outside of Canada. (PS: none of the questions ask for emails or personally identifying info, just general age/gender stuff and readership notes.)
April 15, 2011, 9:00 am
As mentioned, last week TransLink CEO Ian Jarvis spent a morning on the system talking to customers and staff, just like our our COO, Doug Kelsey, did in March.
The idea behind the project is to bring our senior leaders and our customers together on the system, so that they can have face-to-face discussions about TransLink and the service we provide across the enterprise to our customers.
And as promised, here’s a wrapup note from his visit, drawn from the notes my colleagues provided about the trip!
Ian Jarvis, TransLink CEO, with two of our SkyTrain attendants!
Ian’s trip began with chatting with transit riders at Metrotown Station at 9:30 a.m. before heading out to Surrey Central Station where he transferred to a 321 to Newton Exchange. From Newton he travelled on the C75 to Scottsdale and then back to Scott Road on the 312, where he boarded the train and was back in the office for 11:30.
He was joined by Erin McConnell, manager of corporate communications, who tweeted about his progress, and Drew Snider, Public Information Officer, who passed out TravelSmart maps and Compass card goodies.
While on transit, Ian spoke to both passengers and operators – it was an opportunity to connect with and thank the frontline staff that help our customers every day. It was also a chance to surprise and delight customers, who aren’t expecting to chat with the CEO on their way to work or school.
Feedback from customers ranged from light rail rapid transit (both south of the Fraser and the UBC Line) to stroller challenges (like competing for the space with wheelchair and scooter users) and elevators. Questions were asked about the location of the Lost & Found office, frequency of service on various routes and fare evasion. Our customers sounded very happy with our transit service, and very appreciative of the handouts.
As well, about 47 tweets were received about Ian’s ridealong: many were retweets or comments about the ridealong, and there were also questions about the 502, the Compass card, and the next phase of the Surrey Rapid Transit consultation.
The next ridealong is planned for May with another of our executives — stay tuned!
April 12, 2011, 1:55 pm
Introducing the new editor of the Buzzer newsletter and blog, Robert Willis!
I’m pleased to introduce Robert Willis, who will be taking over the Buzzer while I’m on maternity leave! Please give him a warm welcome: we’ll both be posting on the blog for the next three weeks until my last day on April 29, 2011.
Hello everyone! I’m greatly humbled to be filling Jhenifer’s massive shoes (figuratively of course: Jhen has regular-sized feet) as editor of the Buzzer while she’s on maternity leave.
I have a background as a journalist, so you very well might bump into me on a bus, SkyTrain, SeaBus, or West Coast Express talking to commuters and taking pictures. I also love robots and Japanese food… but I’m getting off topic.
There are so many stories to be told about transportation in Metro Vancouver. The challenge is to narrow in on what is most applicable and engaging for you the reader. I’ll be poring over your comments and emails for your thoughts on transit and the Buzzer and will use them as a compass (intended reference to our newly-named fare card) to help guide what I write. Of course, I’ll be continuing the many themes that Jhenifer has brought to the Buzzer like transit history and tidbits and links. Over the next few months, I also intend to introduce some new ideas and themes.
As a regular transit user, I rely a lot on TransLink like, I’m sure, most of you do as well. I’m excited to play a bigger part of our collective transit experience as the new editor. I hope you’ll help me continue the great stories and conversations Jhenifer has started!
April 8, 2011, 9:00 am
Note: This is a scheduled post as I’m away this week, returning Monday April 11, 2011. If you need to reach TransLink info or staff, see this post!
Two notes for the Sapperton/United Boulevard workshops!
Phase 2 starts on April 13, 2011
A reminder that the phase two workshops for the Sapperton/United Boulevard Extension process begin on Wednesday, April 13, 2011.
These workshops will focus on reviewing and refining possible transportation concepts for the area, based on the work done in the phase one workshops.
Discuss initial concepts based on Phase 1
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Sapperton Pensioners Hall
318 Keary Street, New Westminster
Google map
Discuss the refined concepts
Saturday, April 30, 2011
9:30 a.m. to noon
Sapperton Pensioners Hall
318 Keary Street, New Westminster
Google map
As always, you can find more info on the TransLink Sapperton/United Boulevard consultation page, or the past Buzzer blog posts on Sapperton.
Notes from the Sapperton/United Boulevard second workshop
And yes, the Sapperton/United Boulevard second workshop on Wednesday, March 16, 2011 wrapped up phase 1 meetings. Here’s the update from our public consultation team, discussing what we heard and what’s next.
Read more »
April 7, 2011, 8:00 am
A Brill trolley with the BC Hydro colours, operating as the 14 Hastings in 1967.
Note: This is a scheduled post as I’m away this week, returning Monday April 11, 2011. If you need to reach TransLink info or staff, see this post!
As part of our April 2011 service changes, we are bringing back the 14 Hastings trolley route—an iconic former bus route that ran through Vancouver’s downtown for many years!
The 14—which even had a famous play named after it—makes its triumphant return to the streets due to optimization changes for the 10 and 17 trolley routes.
Here to tell us more about the 14’s history and its current incarnation is Peter Klitz, one of TransLink’s planners involved in the project. Read on for more insights and some classic photos of the 14 through time!
Read more »
April 6, 2011, 1:00 pm
Note: This is a scheduled post as I’m away this week, returning Monday April 11, 2011. If you need to reach TransLink info or staff, see this post!
SeaBus riders may have noticed that we installed a new awning at Lonsdale Quay last week!
The old awning was due for a refresh, as it was over 15 years old and still in the B.C. Transit colours. The new one has the modern SeaBus branding, plus a colourful new look. Hope you’re enjoying it!
The old SeaBus awning, now retired!
April 6, 2011, 9:00 am
Andrea Wan's illustration for the April Buzzer, and her self portrait entitled The Wait.
Note: This is a scheduled post as I’m away this week, returning Monday April 11, 2011. If you need to reach TransLink info or staff, see this post!
This April, we are happy to have the work of local illustrator Andrea Wan on the Buzzer’s cover. Find out more about her in this interview!
Tell us a bit about yourself and your art!
I’m an artist and illustrator, born in Hong Kong and raised in Vancouver. I graduated from the Film program at Emily Carr and studied illustration and design in Denmark. My art explores subjects such as landscapes, memories and the subconscious.
How did you come up with the Buzzer cover? Can you talk a bit about the other concepts?
Since the #14 Hastings trolley route is back, I wanted to create a cover illustration showing that the neighborhood is welcoming back the old bus. I did a few other variations on this concept, but with people in it. I finally decided to choose a design showing an important landmark on Hastings—Woodward’s. [Editor's note: here's the other concepts on Andrea's blog!]
What kind of work are you doing lately, and where can we see it?
I’ve been working on personal drawings and a couple of commissions. My work can be seen on my website and blog.
Do you have a regular transit route that you take? And do you have a favourite seat on the bus or SkyTrain?
I live in East Vancouver and I often take the B-Line or the SkyTrain to my studio. When I take the SkyTrain I often like to stand by the door so I can look out the window.
Thanks so much Andrea!
Check out more interviews with our past illustrators here:
